UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said it is up to the United States to justify its actions in Venezuela after the dramatic capture of President Nicolas Maduro, stressing that the situation is “complicated” and must be judged through the lens of international law.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Starmer reiterated Britain’s long-standing position on Venezuela.

“What we need in Venezuela is a peaceful transition to democracy,” he said, adding that this stance existed before the weekend’s events and “remains our position.”

Starmer emphasized that international law should be the standard by which governments’ actions are assessed.

“International law is the framework, the anchor or the benchmark, against which we judge the actions of all other governments,” he said. “And it is, of course, for the U.S. to justify the action that it has taken.”

He noted that the situation continues to evolve, describing it as complex with “further developments” still unfolding.

US raid and Maduro’s transfer

The comments come after US forces captured Maduro in a raid early on Saturday and transferred him to New York.

Maduro is expected to face drug-trafficking charges in a US court, a move that has triggered global debate over legality, sovereignty, and the limits of international intervention.

Starmer’s office pushed back against any comparison between the US operation in Venezuela and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A spokesperson said the situations “don’t bear comparison,” describing Russia’s actions as an “unprovoked, full-scale invasion of a sovereign democratic state.”

Britain has repeatedly labeled President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine illegal and has imposed what it says are its toughest-ever sanctions on Russia.

UK reaffirms stance on Maduro’s rule

Despite urging legal scrutiny of US actions, the British government maintained its position on Maduro’s legitimacy.

“We have always been clear that Maduro’s rule in Venezuela is fraudulent,” Starmer’s spokesperson said, underlining the UK’s support for democratic change in the South American country.